Green corn cutting apparatus



Dec. 23, 1941 J. SCHMIDT GREEN CORN CUTTING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 9, 1940 77. I l Illifil 1 w. I I Mm F m y D v. m m 5 a a 2 1 a. I WI m n, h w E! .b fin: 9 a b a V v m J LHLH WM I.

Dec. 23, 1941.

J. SCHMIDT GREEN CORN CUTTING APPARATUS Filed Sept. 9, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 122025225 3 J57? Sc/zirzz'df,"

Patented Dec. 23, 1941 Y r UNETE STATES GREEN CORN CUTTING APPARATUS John Schmidt, Philadelphia, Pa.

Application September 9, 1940, Serial No. 355,931

2 Claims. (01. 130-9) The present invention relates generally to appresent apparatus is characterized by the fact paratus for cutting the kernels from the cobs that the means for feedin the s of m of green corn. More particularly the invention successively and longitudinally through the cenrelates to that type of green corn cutting a tral opening in the cutting head comprises inparatus which is used in connection with com- 5 stead of an endless conveyor and tWO main l mercial corn packing or canning and as its main p y p ed d 0 5 between the disor principal parts comprises: (1) a supporting charge end of the conveyor and the cutting structure in the form of a horizontally elone a endless c y and a single feed 0 gated housing having at the front end thereof directly over a d (meeting With t e cha e an inlet for the corn to be cut and embodying end of the conveyor. By having but a single in the bottom portion a discharge duct for the ma n d Tell and the letter sp d OV r cut kernels and at the rear end an outlet for the charge end of the conveyor a positive the cobs, (2) a rotary power driven cutting head feeding of the ears of 00m takes p e d it which is mounted in the housing and has in the s substantially impossible for y of the s central portion thereof and in axial alignment 15 of corn to become j ed While in transit to with the corn inlet an opening for the passage the Ce t Opening in t Cutting dtherethrough of the ears of corn to be out and thermore, the feed means as a W e s Simin addition has within the opening an annular plified a involves but a small minimum orrlce series or set of substantially radially movable number of P knives for cutting the kernels from the cobs as Another object of the invention is to prothe corn is successively fed through the central vide a corn cutting apparatus of the last me opening, and (3) power driven means for feedtioned character in which the endless conveyor ing the ears of corn successively and longitupart of the feed means is of the chain and dinally through the central opening in the rosprocket variety and the single main feed roll tary cutting head for cutting of the kernels by a d e sp e at the discharge end of the the knives. conveyor are connected together so, as to move In a corn cutting apparatus of this type it has conjointly and equidistantly to and from one heretofore been customary to employ as the another in connection with passage of cars of means or medium for feeding the ears succesdifferent sizes therebetween. sively through the central opening in the rotary A further object of the invention is to procutting head, an endless horizontally extending vide a green corn cutting apparatus of the type conveyor in front of the housing and with the and character under consideration in which the upper reach thereof in alignment with the botlinks of the chain of the endless conveyor have tom portion of the corn inlet and in addition a outwardly divergent side wings which when in pair of opposed oppositely disposed and driven the upper reach of the conveyor form a subseparable feed rolls between the discharge end stantially V-shaped trough whereby the ears of the conveyor and the rotary cutting head. In of corn travelling thereon are caused to be practice it has been found that a corn cutting brought into proper longitudinal alignment with apparatus having feed means of this character the axis of the rotary cutting head. is objectionable or defective for the reason that A still further object of the invention is to certain kinds or types of ears do not pass directprovide a green corn cutting apparatus which ly from the discharge end of the endless conis generally of new and improved construction veyor to and between the feed rolls and so jam and has certain advantages over that which is between the conveyor and the rolls that it is shown in, and forms the subject matter of, necessary to discontinue operation of the ap- 5 United States Letters Patent No. 2,214,285, paratus until removal of the jammed ear or ears. granted to me September 10, 1940.

One object of the present invention is to pro- Other objects of the invention and the varvide a corn cutting apparatus which is an imious advantages and characteristics of the presprovement upon previously designed apparatus 0 ent corn cutting apparatus will be apparent from of the same general character and for the same a consideration of the following detailed depurpose by reason of the fact that it includes a scription,

novel form or arrangement of feed means which The invention consists in the several novel efiectively and efficiently eliminates the possifeatures which are hereinafter set forth and bility of jamming of the ears during feed thereare more particularly defined by claims at the of to and through the rotary cutting head. The conclusion hereof.

In the drawings which accompany and form a part of this specification or disclosure and in which like numerals of reference denote corresponding parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a green corn cutting apparatus embodying the invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged vertical transverse section taken on the line 2-2 of Figure 1 and illustrating the design and construction of the single main feed roll and the sprocket at the discharge end of the endless conveyor;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a portion of the chain of the conveyor;

Figure 3 is an enlarged vertical transverse section taken on the line 3-3 of Figure .1 and showing in detail the construction and design of the means for conjointly driving the single main feed roll and the sprocket at the discharge end of the endless conveyor and also showing the design and arrangement of the means whereby the feed roll and sprocket are connected together for conjoint and equidistant movement to and from one nother; and

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical longitudinal section taken on the line 4-4. of Figure l and disclosing the manner in which the single feed roll and the discharge end of the endless conveyor coact to feed the ears of corn to be cut successively and longitudinally through the central opening in the rotary cut,- e

ting head.

The apparatus which is shown in the drawings constitutes the preferred embodiment of the invention. It is primarily designed and adapted to cut the kernels from the cobs of green corn in more detailed disclosure of the various operating 5 parts of the apparatus.

The housing 5. serves as a supporting structure for the rotary cutting head 6 and is carried in an elevated and horizontal position by way of a frame 8. It is associated with a pair of casings 9 and Ill and embodies a front end Wall II, a bottom wall l2 and a rear end wall l3 together with top and side walls. The front end wall ll extends vertically and has a circular inlet M for the ears of corn to be out. The bottom wall l2 of the housing extends between and serves to space apart the front and rear end walls and is shaped to form directly behind and beneath the .inlet M a downwardly extending duct [5 for the cut kernels. The rear end wall 13 is parallel to the front end Wall I I and has an outlet It for the cobs. Said outlet is axially aligned with the corn inlet 14 in the front end wall H. The rotary cutting head 6 is disposed in the housing 5 directly behind the front end wall H, as shown .in Figure 41. It embodies a central circular opening I! and is supported for rotation about a horizontal axis by way of a set of rollers l8. The latter carry the head so that the latter extends transversely of the housing and the circular opening I! is coaxial the corn inlet [4. An annular set or series of bevel edged knives I9 is carried by the head 5 within the central opening I! and the knives of this set are radially movable and are adapted, in connection with rotation or drive of the head and feed of an ear of corn through the opening, to cut the kernels of corn from the cob. A pair of small diameter power driven oppositely disposed feed rolls 20 is disposed directly in front of the head and serve as a medium for opening the knives to a cutting position in connection with feed of an ear of corn into the central opening IT. The knives I9 are mounted and controlled as set forth in said Patent No. 2,214,285. The kernels which are cut by the knives are discharged from the housing via the discharge duct 15 in the bottom wall I2. The cutting head 6 is driven by means of a power shaft 2|, a counters'haft 22 and gearing (not shown) in the casing Band the housing 5. The casing 9 is located at one side of and is fixed to the housing 5 as shown in Figure l, and the casing I0 is located outwardly of the casing 9. The power shaft 2| extends through and is journalled in the casing l0: an i gazelle! e a ic w th the li e. of

trav l; o he. ars o hro- It. i c hhc qte v t0 and operate o. drive: the u-hte s aftil hr y o a s rocket and end e ch qn e i n '28 h c un e shef e t nd hr u h and is inu a led in i a hear n i h asin t an pa le t n w shaf -2;L When h power shaft 21 is in operation the cutting head 6 is riven a a om ar tiv ly igh p ed and. as hereinafterdescri-bed, the feed means I opera t f d e ears f om. h? b t. su e s l th qush t e t a peni il n h h ad 5-. As h e f 0 th Pa ss ve y rou h su h hehihe h iv s l9 wt the kern ls, f m t e. 0hr and th ut ke nels e. d s..- ch arged from the housing by way of the disha e uct Afte ng h r el the cobs pa s f om. the. h u in via h o et 6 in the e r en wa '3 o h 'hQ si-n Th m d, mean er e din he a s 01 corn successively through the central opening l n t cutt n head whh an e l ss. h e r -2 ah si g f ed 1 2 Th en les eq reyqr is os t one ect y n front f t r m nd we o t h sing. 5 a d consists of a pair of sprockets '26 and 2;! and a ain t fits be we an e a te he e tally extending frame 29 and is so constructed and arrang d t a t. mb i a upper reach which is longitudinally aligned with the inlet M in th f n nd. Wal H f the h u n and the central opening 11 in the. rotary cutting head 6. The frame 29 consists of a pair of laterally spaced frame. memb rs an the a ne i ah d n parallel relation and are fixedly or rigidly attached to a bracket. 3.]. The sprocket is at the receiving end of the conveyor 24 and is mounted on a horizontally extending stub shaft (not hown hich is r e y n io al d in ea in b o k a the fr m ends o th frame mber 0 h s ket 2 is a h d sc a end of the endless conveyor 24 and is fixed to an o a d ha t. 33-, I is d po d e t y n front of the front wall .ll of the housing .5 and is positioned between the rear ends of the frame members of the frame Z -9.. The shaft 3.3 extends substantially horizontally and projects in the direction of the ID, as shown in Figure 1. It is driven as hereinafter described, by the power shaft 2! and extends through a vertically elongated slot 34 in one of the frame members 30. The chain 28 .of the conveyor 24 is endless. It is disposed between the frame members 30 of the frame 23 .and is trained around the sprockets 2 5 and 21. The upper reach trough forming members 36 at its sides.

members 33. The rear or distal end of the rear section 38 is provided with a pair of laterally spaced apertured lugs 40 and these lap the sprocket 21 and fit around the adjacent end of the shaft 33 so that the rear section 38 is vertically movable with the sprocket 21. The trough forming members 36 are secured to the upper portions of the frame members 38 and are disposed at the sides of the upper reach of the endless conveyor. They extend from the front ends of the members 36 to the front wall II of the housing and prevent lateral displacement of any ears of corn on the upper reach of the conveyor 24. The chain 28 of the conveyor consists of single links and alternately arranged double links. The single links are pivotally connected to the ends of the double links and both types of links have upwardly and outwardly extending side wings 4|. Such wings are arranged in what may be termed a V formation and are so positioned or disposed that they operate when travelling in the upper reach of the conveyor to maintain the ears of corn in true longitudinal alignment with the central opening I! in the cutting head 6. Because of the arrangement and action of the wings it is impossible for any ear of corn on the conveyor to travel other than in truly parallel relation with the path of travel. In other words the wings prevent the ears of corn on the conveyor from assuming an angled or tilted position with respect to the line or course of travel. The sprocket 2'! is adapted to be driven so that the ears of corn which are placed on the upper reach of the conveyor after husking are caused to be fed one at a time towards the cutting head 6. The means for driving the sprocket wheel 21 comprises a pair of bevel gears 42 and 43, an idler gear 44, a gear 45 and a stub shaft 46. The bevel gear 42 is mounted on and keyed or otherwise fixedly secured to the power shaft 2| (see Figure 3). It is disposed in the casing l0 and is in mesh with and serves to drive the bevel gear 43. The latter is mounted on a stub shaft (not shown) and this is journalled in a bearing in the casing I8 and carries the idler gear 44. The gear 45 is in mesh with and is driven by the idler gear and is fixed to one end of the stub shaft 46. Said stub shaft extends transversely through and is journalled in a bearing in the casing |0. It is connected by a universal joint 41 to the end of th shaft 33 that is remote from, or opposite to, the sprocket 27. The joint 4! permits the shaft 33 together with the sprocket 21 and the discharge end of the endless conveyor 24 to swing or move relatively to the stub shaft 46. The slot 34 restricts the shaft 33 and the parts associated therewith to vertical swinging movement.

The feed roll 25 is located directly above the sprocket 2'! at the discharge end of the endless conveyor 24. It coacts with said discharge end of the conveyor to feed the ears of corn successively to and through the cutting head 6. As shown in Figure 2, the roll 25 is mounted on one end of a substantially horizontal shaft 48. It has a'tubular outer tread part 49. The latter is preferably formed of vulcanized rubber and'has a concave outerperiphery. Hemispherical knoblike protuberances 50 are formed on the outer periphery of the tread part 49 and serve to grip the ears of corn without puncturing or otherwise mutilating the kernels. Preferably the protuberances 50 are formed as integral parts of the tread part 49. The shaft 48 overlies and is substantially the same in length as the shaft 33 for the sprocket 21. It is disposed exteriorly of the housing 5 and is connected for drive from the gear 45 by way of a gear 5| and a stub shaft 52. The gear 5| is disposed in the casing l8 and is in mesh with the gear 45. The stub shaft 52 overlies the stub shaft 46 and is journalled in a bearing in said casing In. The gear 5| is keyed or otherwise fixedly secured to the inner end of the stub shaft 52. A universal joint 53 extends between and serves to connect the outer end of the stub shaft 52 and the end of the shaft 48 that is remote from or opposite to the feed roll 25. Said joint permits the shaft 48 together with the feed roll to swing vertically. VJhen the power shaft 2| is in operation the gears 45 and 5| are driven and operate through the medium of the stub shafts 45 and 52 and the shafts 33 and 48, to drive the sprocket 2'! and the feed roll 25. Because the gear 5| is driven from the gear 45 the sprocket 21 and the feed roll 25 are reversely driven (see arrows in Figure 4). The sprocket wheel and the feed roll are of such size that the chain 28 of the conveyor 24 is driven at the same speed as the peripheral speed of the feed roll. When the apparatus is in operation and an ear of corn is placed on the upper reach of the conveyor 24 such ear is fed in the direction of the housing 5. When the ear approaches the discharge end of the conveyor it passes between such discharge end and the feed roll 25 and the two coact to feed the ear into and through the central opening I! in the rotary cutting head 6. The shaft 43 together with the feed roll 25 is restricted to vertical swinging movement by way of a shoe 54. The latter is mounted on the central portion of the shaft .48 and is vertically slidable in a vertical guideway 55 between the housing 5 and the casing 9. The shaft 33 is provided with a shoe 56 on its central portion and this shoe is disposed beneath the shoe 54, as shown in Figure 3, and is confined to vertical sliding movement in the guideway 55. The feed roll 25 and the sprocket 21 are connected together-for conjoint and equidistant vertical movement to and from one another by means of a pair of bell cranks 51 and 58. These cranks are associated with the shafts 48 and 33 respectively and are positioned in front of the casing 9. The bell crank 51 is disposed directly above the bell crank 58. It comprises a horizontally extending arm 59 and a depending vertically extending arm 60 and it is mounted for vertical pivotal movement on a stud 6| which is carriedby a bracket 62 on the casing It). The arms 58 and 68 of the bell crank 51extend at right angles to one another and are conjointly movable. The distal end of the arm 53 embodies a depending finger 63 and this fits within a recess in the shoe 54. The lower distal end of the arm 68 embodies a single depending tooth 54.- The bell crank 58 is in the form of a one-piece casting and comprises a horizontally extending arm 65 and an upstanding vertically extending arm 66. It is mounted for vertical pivotal movement on a stud 61 which is carried by the bracket 62 on the casing [0. The distal end of the arm 65 of the bell crank 58 embodies an upstanding finger 6,8 which fits withina recess in the lower end of the shoe 56. The upper or distal end ofthe arm '66 embodies a pair of teeth 69 and these straddle the-tooth 54 and so connect the two crank arms that they move in unison and thus cause the feed roll and the sprocket to move to and from one another simultaneously and equidistantly. The feed roll 25 and the sprocket 21 are urged together into a closed position by way of a pair of leaf springs 19 and H. These springs are positioned one over the other, as shown in Figure 3, and project from the casing ID in the direction of the housing 5. The spring 10 overlies the shaft 48 and bears against the horizontally extending arm 53 of the bell crank 51. The spring H underlies the shaft 33 and bears against the horizontally extending arm 65 of the bell crank 53. A block 12 in the guideway 55 and between the shoes 54 and 55 prevents full closing of the feed roll and sprocket. The feedroll 25. and the sprocket 2'! are so positioned and are adapted so to coact with one another that they maintain the ears of corn passing between them in truly centered relation with the opening I! in the rotary cutting head 6.

When it is desired to operate the apparatus the power shaft 2! is first set, into motion. As soon as the shaft 2! starts to rotate the endless conveyor 24 and the feed roll 25 commence to rotate and the cutting head 6 is set in motion. As soon as the apparatus reaches its full or normal speed the ears of corn to be out, after husking, are placed on the upper reach of the endless conveyor 24. Preferably the ears are so arranged that the small ends face in the direction of the cutting head 6. As soon as an ear is placed on the upper reach of the conveyor 24 it moves towards the front end wall II of the housing 5. When the ear reaches the discharge end of the conveyor it comes in contact with the feed roll 25 and is fed by the latter and the dis,- charge end of the conveyor to and through the cutting head 6. If the, ear is a large one the feed roll 25 and the sprocket 2.1'move apart, as shown in dotted lines in'Figure 4. Due to the action of the coacting bell cranks 5'! and 58 the feed roll and sprocket move simultaneously and equidistantly away from one another. As the ear is fed through thehole I] in the cutting head 6 the knives I9 "cut the kernels from the cob, as hereinbefore pointed out. By reason of the fact that the links 28 of the endless conveyor 2c embody the side wings H the ears of corn to be out are automatically longitudinally aligned with the central opening l1 inthe cutting head during travel on the upper reach of the conveyor 24.

The herein described corn cutting apparatus is exceptionally eiiicient in. operation by reason of the fact that the feed means 1 thereof is so designed that jamming ofthe ears of corn during travel to and through the head 6 is effectively eliminated. Because the feed means 1 embodies but a single main feed roll it effectively and efficiently fulfills its intended purpose and is essentially of simplified design or construction.

Whereas the apparatus has been described as comprising a rotary cutting head, the knives of which are moved outwards into 'a cutting position in response to outward movement of the auxiliary feed rolls Zildue to the passage of an ear of corn therebetween, it is to be understood that an apparatus embodying the improved feed means I in combination with a different form or type of cutting head is within the purview of the invention. It is also to be understood that the invention is not to be restricted to the details set forth since these may be modified within the scope, of the appended claims Without departing from the spirit and, scope of the invention.

Having thus described the invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A green corn cutting apparatus comprising a supporting structure, a cutting head mounted on the structure to rotate about a substantially horizontal axis and having a central opening for the passage therethrcugh of the ears of corn to be out and a kernel cutting knife adjacent the opening, and means for feeding said ears successively and longitudinally through the opening for cutting of the kernels by the knife embodying a horizontally extending conveyor disposed in front of the head and consisting of a sprocket at the receiving end, a sprocket at the discharge endand in close proximity to said head and an endless link-type chain trained around the sprockets, carried and supported by the latter so that the upper reach thereof is in alignment with the bottom portion of the opening in the head, and having the links thereof provided with outwardly extending angularly disposed side wings arranged in V formation and serving when travelling in the upper reach of the conveyor automatically to maintain the ears of corn in parallel relation with the axis of said cutting head, a feed roll positioned directly over the second mentioned sprocket and adapted when. it and the conveyor are driven, to coact with the discharge end of the conveyor to feed the ears toward and in centered relation with said opening, and power means for conjointly and reversely driving the feed roll and said second mentioned sprocket for corn feeding purposes, said feed roll and second mentioned sprocket being mounted to move to and away from each other and having means associated therewith whereby they are caused to move conjointly and equidistantly to and from one another and in addition having spring means associated therewith for urging them toward one another.

2. A green corn cutting apparatus comprising a supporting structure, a power driven cutting head mounted on the structure to rotate about a substantially horizontal axis and having a central opening for the passage therethrough of the ears of corn to be cut and a kernel cutting knife adjacent the opening, and means for feeding said ears successively and longitudinally through the opening for cutting of the kernels by the knife including a horizontally extending power driven conveyor of the endless chain and sprocket type disposed in front of'the head and having an upper corn conveying reach in alignment with the bottom portion of the opening, the links of the chain of the. conveyor having outwardly extending angula-rly disposed side wings arranged in V formation and serving when travelling in the upper reach of the conveyor automatically to maintain the ears of corn in parallel relation with the axis of said cutting head.

JOHN SCHMIDT. 

